Review: Rouge, Underbelly Southbank London, By Hannah Goslin

Who couldn’t be excited by an adult only circus? We begin our night by our intro full of comedy, verbal notes on a good time and nudity – and this is exactly what we get.

Amongst awe inducing stunts, flying high in the air, balancing
on unstable chairs, fire, whips, you name it, we get a show full of attitude,
hilarity, tongue and cheek and lots of naughtiness. It’s true that this is a
circus unlike any other.

This isn’t a show for the prudish, or the shy. The group openly admit that their idea behind the show is breaking down gender and sex roles, and so we see plenty of sexual tension between all sexes – they throughout cross gender roles, with femme and androgynous looks as well as woman taking a lead in dominance. And this shows another great step towards more open and equal performances that are popping up across the theatrical scene.

Don’t be shocked if you fall in love with these characters –
each with their own personality on show, they can be demure and intense with
more serious acts but none are afraid to make a fool of themselves, taking playful
approaches to S&M, hilarious dance routines with obscured faces by a lamp
shade and dancing to a song stating ‘turn me on’ – at this point a light switch
by their genitals can be flicked on with light blasting out. There’s no end to
the inventiveness and comedy with their routines.

And of course, the more intense stunts are beautiful, well-rehearsed
and stunning. The ability to make it look so easy, but with our full knowledge
of the strength and skill going into these. They keep their performance faces
on, even if the heat literally gets turned up as they swallow fire or keeping
their head as they are swung around the room.

Rouge is raunchy, a great degree of enjoyment and certainly a brilliant night out – For ADULTS ONLY!

Rouge plays at Underbelly as part of the Southbank Festival until the 15th September.